Hi,

I can't seem to find an answer to this so I'll try here.

Hypothetically speaking, how can go about registering a handgun owned by a relative (grandparent) who brought this gun back from WWII. I'm not sure it's registered and was likely brought into the state in the late 1940s. I already have my handgun training certificate and want to know if there's a way for me to legally own this gun. Some background, my relative is still alive and my father has legal standing to make decisions about his estate.

Our biggest concern is screwing up this process and having HPD confiscate and destroy the gun. It is a very important part of our family history. Thanks in advance!

hypothetically speaking, you could just go down there and say you brought it in from out of state on your recent vacation

if it has a serial they can register it. if it doesnt have a serial it would have to get engraved first.

from the research i did trying to register my ww2 luger, they wont take it away unless its a banned item or if youre not able to own a pistol.

If you tell them it is from a family estate, should be no issue.  Wife brought back an old Colt 1908 from her mother's estate and registered it no problem.

If you tell them it is from a family estate, should be no issue.  Wife brought back an old Colt 1908 from her mother's estate and registered it no problem.

Just be absolutely sure it's never been registered in HI, otherwise you may be in for a big headache (don't ask me how I know).

You want to register it?

I thought guns brought in prior to 94' didn't 'need' to be registered?

You want to register it?

I thought guns brought in prior to 94' didn't 'need' to be registered?

If you(the original owner) purchased before 94 you don't have to register. However if the gun is sold or transferred the new owner must register it.

If you(the original owner) purchased before 94 you don't have to register. However if the gun is sold or transferred the new owner must register it.

So if grandfather gave him the gun before 1994 then no need register?

Hi,

I can't seem to find an answer to this so I'll try here.

Hypothetically speaking, how can go about registering a handgun owned by a relative (grandparent) who brought this gun back from WWII. I'm not sure it's registered and was likely brought into the state in the late 1940s. I already have my handgun training certificate and want to know if there's a way for me to legally own this gun. Some background, my relative is still alive and my father has legal standing to make decisions about his estate.

Our biggest concern is screwing up this process and having HPD confiscate and destroy the gun. It is a very important part of our family history. Thanks in advance!

#1 rule...Be honest! Don't BS about when you got it or that it's an out of state purchase.

Just walk into HPD with the info for the gun and tell them you want to acquire it from your grandfather's estate. Then go through the process (fill out the forms, pass the background check, etc.) and be done.

So if grandfather gave him the gun before 1994 then no need register?

I could be wrong, but I believe If the original owner does not "own" it, the new person must register it.  Weather it be a estate, transfer, gift, found, etc
That's my translaton. Maybe someone with more experience can Chime in, seeing as how I'm too young to qualify for a pre 94 purchase

Prior to 94 only applies to rifles. all handguns needed to be registered I matter when they were brought in. All you have to do is ask your gramps if he registered it, if he did get the info and apply for permit.

Prior to 94 only applies to rifles. all handguns needed to be registered I matter when they were brought in. All you have to do is ask your gramps if he registered it, if he did get the info and apply for permit.

Curious...what hapens if it was registered?

Thanks everyone, this is all very helpful to me. Really appreciate all the responses!

Hmmm...so hypothetically someone wanted to use an old rifle brought in prior to 94'..Original owner 'still owns' it, if that someone got pulled over how does he/she go about proving said rifle was brought in prior?

#1 rule...Be honest! Don't BS about when you got it or that it's an out of state purchase.

Just walk into HPD with the info for the gun and tell them you want to acquire it from your grandfather's estate. Then go through the process (fill out the forms, pass the background check, etc.) and be done.

Do you know what specific info about the gun I need to have when I go down to HPD to apply for a permit to acquire?

Do you know what specific info about the gun I need to have when I go down to HPD to apply for a permit to acquire?

The basics...Make, model, barrel length, caliber, & serial number.

^Thanks!

Do you know what specific info about the gun I need to have when I go down to HPD to apply for a permit to acquire?

If you are bring this in as your property from an estate, I believe there is no permit to acquire.  At least there was not in Hawaii county.

Having taken the NRA safety course may have helped, do not remember if they asked my wife.  But she needed no permit, just took it in for them to fill out the particulars, measure the barrel, and we were off.  No wait, no fingerprints.

If you are bring this in as your property from an estate, I believe there is no permit to acquire.  At least there was not in Hawaii county.

Having taken the NRA safety course may have helped, do not remember if they asked my wife.  But she needed no permit, just took it in for them to fill out the particulars, measure the barrel, and we were off.  No wait, no fingerprints.

No...that would work only if inheriting from and legally taking possession out of state. But in gavinn58's case, it's a local transfer and state law applies (doesn't matter what county).

§134-2  Permits to acquire.  (a)  No person shall acquire the ownership of a firearm, whether usable or unusable, serviceable or unserviceable, modern or antique, registered under prior law or by a prior owner or unregistered, either by purchase, gift, inheritance, bequest, or in any other manner, whether procured in the State or imported by mail, express, freight, or otherwise, until the person has first procured from the chief of police of the county of the person's place of business or, if there is no place of business, the person's residence or, if there is neither place of business nor residence, the person's place of sojourn, a permit to acquire the ownership of a firearm as prescribed in this section.  When title to any firearm is acquired by inheritance or bequest, the foregoing permit shall be obtained before taking possession of a firearm; provided that upon presentation of a copy of the death certificate of the owner making the bequest, any heir or legatee may transfer the inherited or bequested firearm directly to a dealer licensed under section 134-31 or licensed by the United States Department of Justice without complying with the requirements of this section.